A Colorado Valentine’s Day Guide

A pretty cake goes a long way in making your Valentine happy! Photo by H.M. Kerr-Schlaefer, all rights reserved.

Want to experience an authentic Colorado Valentine’s Day? Here are my tips for infusing a little Rocky Mountain high into your relationship this February.

STAY

Colorado offers everything from well-appointed historic hotels like the Brown Palace and Hotel Colorado to the shiny and still-fairly-new Ritz-Carlton in downtown Denver to Movie Manor, a motel in Monte Vista offering a drive-in movie with your stay.

When it comes to lodging options, this state has it all, but it’s Colorado’s bed and breakfasts that offer the perfect romantic ambiance for a Valentine’s Day escape. Many bed and breakfasts are located in the heart of Colorado’s unique towns, making everything within easy walking distance including restaurants, bars and shopping.

Pick a bed and breakfast with a romance package, or make your own romance package. Pack a bottle of bubbly, some of your partner’s favorite chocolates or other fancy foods and stay in for the evening. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!

We recently stumbled across the Carr Manor in Cripple Creek, and toured this 14-room bed and breakfast in a converted high school. There are two spa suites that will blow your mind. One has a vaulted Jacuzzi tub that should come with a couple servants waving palm frawns.

For a romantic little get away in the charming town of Berthoud, Colorado, check out the Berthoud Inn. The owner is an accomplished chef who just might cook up something special for your dinner if prearranged.

A romance package is a nice touch when booking a romantic escape at hotel or bed & breakfast. Photo by H.M. Kerr-Schlaefer.

Eat

When it comes to the culinary scene, Colorado has chefs who are pushing the boundaries and testing the palates of residents from the Front Range to Aspen. While not always known as a “foodie town,” today, inspired cuisine can be found throughout Denver at places like Euclid Hall and Fruition Restaurant.

But let’s face it, Colorado’s known for meat, red meat like steak, lamb and wild game.

If you want to impress your date this Valentine’s Day with an authentic Colorado meal, try the Frontier Platter at The Fort in Morrison. This sample plate includes a buffalo sirloin medallion, wild boar chops and grilled teriyaki quail. Start your meal with some Rocky Mountain oysters as a daring aphrodisiac.

Looking for Rocky Mountain oysters at a less fancy establishment and price? Try Bruce’s in Severance, Colorado. A basket of oysters, fries and dip at Bruce’s will only set you back $8.99.

Snowshoeing if fun! Photo by Ryan Schlaefer.

DO

Here at HeidiTown, I’m all about doing stuff, and Valentine’s Day is your opportunity to get out and do something romantic with that special person in your life.

If you read HeidiTown then you’re already an expert when it comes to doing fun Colorado stuff, but if not, here are a few suggestions for this Valentine’s Day.

Dinner theater – This option kills two birds with one stone; dinner and the evening’s entertainment. And if you want to keep the Colorado theme going, The Unsinkable Molly Brown is now onstage at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Johnstown.

A free gondola ride in Breckenridge – The 143-cabin Breckenridge Gondola runs year-round for skiers and non-skiers. This ride could be part of a romantic getaway in the beautiful town of Breckenridge, Colorado. Current hours of gondola operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A moonlight snowshoe outing – Check out Colorado’s Best Snowshoeing Trails and do a little investigating to find out what resorts/ranches have this unique experience available.

3 responses to A Colorado Valentine’s Day Guide

Loved all the ideas on how to have a perfect romantic Valentines Day. Keep in mind when making your plans, that The Holiday Chalet is hosting an Elegant Valentines Dinner on 2/14. It is a five course meal for two for just $75!!! Please check us out on Facebook, Email us or call for more information on the menu and seating times.
303-437-8245